A cybersecurity expert told Newsweek that the new feature is a 'meaningful leap in mobile security.'
This week, Google announced a new AI-powered scam detection feature for Android, aiming to combat the rise of fraud with the help of technology that can analyze calls, texts, and app behavior.But how well does it actually work? Newsweek spoke with experts who looked at the technology and gave their thoughts.
What is Google's New Android Scam Feature?The new AI-powered scam detection feature, dubbed AI-powered Scam Detection, is built into Android's existing security system, and uses algorithms to spot scam patterns, phishing attempts and suspicious behavior.It automatically scans calls, texts, and app interactions, warning users about potential scam activity and prompting them to report and block the contacts.Timothy E. Bates, a recognized global expert in AI and cybersecurity and professor of innovation and technology at the University of Michigan told Newsweek that the introduction of AI-driven scam detection marks a 'meaningful leap in mobile security.'The system offers enhanced fraud detection that claims to adapt and improve over time.'The shift from static filters to dynamic AI-driven protection makes scams harder to execute and easier to detect,' Bates explained. 'This gives Android users an edge in scam prevention.'But Bates warned that the new system isn't foolproof. 'No AI is perfect—false positives could block legitimate interactions, and cybercriminals are constantly evolving to bypass detection,' he saidAccording to a 2025 Bankrate Financial Fraud Survey one in three U.S. adults experienced financial fraud or a scam in the past 12 months. Among the victims, nearly two in five lost money.But there is interest in protecting against scams. According to the survey, almost nine in 10 Americans have taken measures to protect themselves from scam activity in the past year. Common security methods include updating passwords, two-factor authentication, and avoiding clicking suspicious links.Does It Actually Work? Brittany Allen, a trust and safety expert with over a decade of experience fighting fraud at companies like Etsy, Airbnb, and Sift, examined the effectiveness of Android's new feature.'From what I was able to test, the Android features are effective at recognizing scam texts and alerting the user to take appropriate action, like blocking the number and reporting the message as spam,' Allen told Newsweek.But while Allen said AI-driven scam detection is an important step forward, the fight against fraud is an 'arms race.''Cybercriminals are constantly adapting, and as technology evolves, so do their tactics,' she explained. 'While these measures are important, it's also crucial to combine them with consumer education so users understand how to spot scams and protect themselves.'One of the biggest challenges fraud fighters face today is the rise of generative AI, which has made scam messages more convincing than ever.As a result, traditional red flags—such as poor grammar or awkward phrasing in scam texts—are becoming less reliable.'The usual warning signs, like obvious misspellings or strange wording, are no longer as apparent,' Allen said. 'Generative AI has made it possible for fraudsters to compose grammatically correct, professional-sounding messages, making scams harder to detect at first glance.'How Does Android's Security Compare to Others?Android's new AI-driven scam detection is a significant security enhancement, Bates said, and competitors like Apple will likely introduce similar AI-driven defenses in the near future.'It's a competitive edge for Android right now, but we can expect other major players to follow suit,' he said.While both experts agree that Google's new AI-powered scam detection is a promising development in mobile security, after testing they found that they shouldn't rely on it as their only defense.'AI is a powerful tool, but it's not a silver bullet,' Bates said. 'Staying vigilant and informed is still the best way to avoid scams.'
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